Next-generation models to predict cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms. This project aims to address the need for improved predictions of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) harmful algal blooms. Accurate predictions of blooms with computer models are important to support management strategies to prevent their occurrence. This project is expected to generate new knowledge of strain-level variation in cyanobacteria that leads to toxic blooms. This project will lead to new knowledge of the significance ....Next-generation models to predict cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms. This project aims to address the need for improved predictions of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) harmful algal blooms. Accurate predictions of blooms with computer models are important to support management strategies to prevent their occurrence. This project is expected to generate new knowledge of strain-level variation in cyanobacteria that leads to toxic blooms. This project will lead to new knowledge of the significance of strain-level variation in cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms, how strains influence toxin production and models for prediction of bloom and toxins. The project will generate significant benefits for water security for the purposes human consumption and recreation, and ecosystem health.Read moreRead less
Charge-driven self-assembly of nanocomposites of ionic polymers and oxide nanoparticles. This project addresses the materials needs in platform technologies for more efficient and cleaner means of generating energy and utilising energy. It also aims at better catalysts for cleaner chemical processes. The novel nanocomposites with significantly increased active ionic sites and higher ionic conductivity, and better activity in catalysis will lead to possible new breakthroughs in technologies for e ....Charge-driven self-assembly of nanocomposites of ionic polymers and oxide nanoparticles. This project addresses the materials needs in platform technologies for more efficient and cleaner means of generating energy and utilising energy. It also aims at better catalysts for cleaner chemical processes. The novel nanocomposites with significantly increased active ionic sites and higher ionic conductivity, and better activity in catalysis will lead to possible new breakthroughs in technologies for energy, environmental and self-cleaning materials. The fabrication approach developed are also applicable to other functional nanomaterials, providing new opportunities for innovative nanotechnology to clearer and greener chemical and energy industries.
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Patterned assemblies of molecules on surfaces. Because of their redox and photophysical properties, artificial porphyrin systems have been designed for applications such as light-harvesting antennae, catalysts and sensors. Control of molecular orientation is required in order to construct practical devices, and in this project methods of assembling porphyrins on surfaces in well-defined patterns will be developed. Sophisticated methods will be used to characterise the films produced in these w ....Patterned assemblies of molecules on surfaces. Because of their redox and photophysical properties, artificial porphyrin systems have been designed for applications such as light-harvesting antennae, catalysts and sensors. Control of molecular orientation is required in order to construct practical devices, and in this project methods of assembling porphyrins on surfaces in well-defined patterns will be developed. Sophisticated methods will be used to characterise the films produced in these ways, in order to provide the information necessary to refine procedures and design new molecules suitable for advanced applications. Expected outcomes are new methods and architectures that can ultimately yield devices that act at the molecular level.Read moreRead less
Fundamental Characterization of Adsorption of Simple to Complex Fluids on Carbon Black and in Carbon Pores. The outcome of this project will help designing engineers with a molecular simulation model for adsorption of simple to complex fluids commonly used in industries. The success of this project translates to a significant saving because it requires minimum effort in experimentation.
Methane hydrate in carbon nanopores as a potential means for energy storage. This project deals with the innovative means to store methane (natural gas) in the form of methane hydrate in the nanospace of carbon pores. The significance of this project lies in the enhanced storage of methane at a moderate pressure, compared to the compressed natural gas technology. Expected outcome is the better and efficient utilization of natural gas in transportation industries, and the better understanding o ....Methane hydrate in carbon nanopores as a potential means for energy storage. This project deals with the innovative means to store methane (natural gas) in the form of methane hydrate in the nanospace of carbon pores. The significance of this project lies in the enhanced storage of methane at a moderate pressure, compared to the compressed natural gas technology. Expected outcome is the better and efficient utilization of natural gas in transportation industries, and the better understanding of the formation of methane hydrate in carbon nanopores.Read moreRead less
Characterization of Sub- and Super-Critical Fluids in Nanomaterials. In recent years, nano-porous materials have become the most potential media for applications in the areas of separation and purification, with materials such as carbon alloy, activated carbon fibre, carbon nanotube and their derivatives. Their effective utilisation depends on how well we characterise them for their adsorption capacities. In this project, we propose a new model for this characterisation and this model can be u ....Characterization of Sub- and Super-Critical Fluids in Nanomaterials. In recent years, nano-porous materials have become the most potential media for applications in the areas of separation and purification, with materials such as carbon alloy, activated carbon fibre, carbon nanotube and their derivatives. Their effective utilisation depends on how well we characterise them for their adsorption capacities. In this project, we propose a new model for this characterisation and this model can be used for the prediction of adsorption of multicomponent systems, which are common in separation and purification industries, without recourse to extensive experimentation. The success of this model could translate to cost savings in those industries.Read moreRead less
A novel modelling approach for understanding wildlife disease dynamics. This project aims to develop a novel framework for field wildlife disease systems, applied to chytrid fungal infection of an endangered frog species as a case study. The project expects to develop models able to be applied to many disease systems, improve understanding of host resistance and tolerance to infection, and improve capacity for mitigation of emerging infectious diseases. This work should have international impac ....A novel modelling approach for understanding wildlife disease dynamics. This project aims to develop a novel framework for field wildlife disease systems, applied to chytrid fungal infection of an endangered frog species as a case study. The project expects to develop models able to be applied to many disease systems, improve understanding of host resistance and tolerance to infection, and improve capacity for mitigation of emerging infectious diseases. This work should have international impact and provide significant national benefits in ensuring the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Designing New Visible-light Active Photocatalysts for Efficient CO2 Reduction. The increasing concern over Climate Change has triggered great efforts in developing new CO2 capture technologies. The outcomes of this program will lead to a new class of photocatalysts that underpin the development of economical CO2 reduction for clean fuel production using sunlight. Such technologies will speed up the transition of Australian environmental and energy industries from fossil fuel economy to renewable ....Designing New Visible-light Active Photocatalysts for Efficient CO2 Reduction. The increasing concern over Climate Change has triggered great efforts in developing new CO2 capture technologies. The outcomes of this program will lead to a new class of photocatalysts that underpin the development of economical CO2 reduction for clean fuel production using sunlight. Such technologies will speed up the transition of Australian environmental and energy industries from fossil fuel economy to renewable energy economy. The research program will contribute significantly to knowledge advancement in nanomaterials, surface chemistry, and photochemistry, and falls in the National Research Priority Area of 'Environmentally Sustainable Australia' addressing the key goals of Climate Change and low emission energy supply.Read moreRead less
TAILORING OF LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDE NANOPARTICLES FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PEPTIDES AND cDNAs. This project will lead to a new class of nanoparticle for effective peptide and DNA transfer, promising efficient drug delivery system with controllable loading and releasing and thus help maintain good health, particularly targeting neurological diseases. This project has also involved fundamental research into the nanomaterial science, surface chemistry, cell biochemistry and n ....TAILORING OF LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDE NANOPARTICLES FOR EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PEPTIDES AND cDNAs. This project will lead to a new class of nanoparticle for effective peptide and DNA transfer, promising efficient drug delivery system with controllable loading and releasing and thus help maintain good health, particularly targeting neurological diseases. This project has also involved fundamental research into the nanomaterial science, surface chemistry, cell biochemistry and neuron sciences. Successful completion of the project will contribute to the development of advanced materials helping Australia advance and build the industrial competitiveness. Through this project highly skilled researchers will be well trained. Read moreRead less
Cause and effect: new mechanisms of particles formation in thunderstorms. This project aims to identify meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle formation and alteration during thunderstorms. How thunderstorms develop is well-understood. However, identifying meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle alteration during a thunderstorm is still not clear. This project will practically contribute to the evidence of the impact of air particulates, thereby having dire ....Cause and effect: new mechanisms of particles formation in thunderstorms. This project aims to identify meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle formation and alteration during thunderstorms. How thunderstorms develop is well-understood. However, identifying meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle alteration during a thunderstorm is still not clear. This project will practically contribute to the evidence of the impact of air particulates, thereby having direct implications for meteorological, and air pollution policy in Australia and worldwide. This project will allow researchers to understand the impact of these factors on the escalation of the causative effects, and to find a way to prevent unnecessary fatal outcomes.Read moreRead less